Writing the Authentic Poem: How Voice Finds Form with Alice Kociemba

What makes Seamus Heaney, Mary Oliver, Philip Levine, Lucille Clifton, W.S. Merwin and Natasha Trethewey sound like no other poets? How do they succeed in making their poems come alive for the reader? Although imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this course will balance imitating craft with maintaining one’s own unique take on work, family, love, loss and transcendence. In each session, the instructor will lead a discussion on the works of a master poet examining the aspects of poetic craft that hones an authentic voice into a memorable poem.
Each class you will be asked to write a new poem (or a substantial revision of an existing poem) that incorporates an aspect of that poet’s voice and form. The new/revised poems will be critiqued in the following class, after which a new master poet will be introduced. This class will take place in the Makerspace and Mentor Studio on the lower level of the Education Wing.